Regional Government recognises importance of forest rangers’ work and announces recruitment of 20 new staff members - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, announced the launch of a new recruitment procedure to hire 20 forest rangers, a contingent that will support the 53 professionals currently serving the Region.

The announcement was made during the celebrations for Regional Forest Ranger Day, recently marked in the municipality of Nordeste, São Miguel Island.

The ceremony, which was also attended by the Regional Director for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning, Nuno Sousa, took place at the Nordeste Nursery Recreational Forest Reserve.

The chosen location holds strong historical symbolism, as it was there that forestry services began their work in 1952, with the implementation of the afforestation project for the São Miguel forest perimeter.

In his speech, António Ventura highlighted the role of forest rangers as a “symbol of autonomy, embodying the nature and rural identity of the Azores,” pointing out the importance of these professionals in the Region’s development.

“It is important to acknowledge the importance of the multifunctional role of forest rangers, who work across a wide range of economic, recreational, social and environmental areas,” stated the government official. 

The Regional Secretary recalled the historical contribution of these professionals to the social and economic progress of the islands: “Forest rangers have been part of the development of the Azores; they have been instrumental in opening up many paths, providing access for agriculture and livestock farming as well as for communities, and have long ensured awareness of forest conservation,” he emphasised.

Noting that forests cover around 30% of the Region’s territory, António Ventura stressed that “the population of the Azores considers forest rangers as guardians and promoters of forests and their unique biodiversity.”

Their wide-ranging responsibilities include the production of plants in nurseries, the restoration and maintenance of common pastures, the supervision of works on rural roads, the management and monitoring of hunting and fishing resources in ponds and streams, as well as carrying out censuses.

On the same occasion, the Regional Director for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning addressed the forest rangers present, praising their institutional role.

“On this day, it is important to recognise not only the work you do, but also the example you set. Your uniform symbolises commitment, authority and public service, embodying a history built up over decades that must be honoured and preserved,” emphasised Nuno Sousa, addressing those present.

Regional Forest Ranger Day was established in 1997 as a form of public recognition for the role played by these professionals in the conservation and rational use of the Azores’ natural resources for more than five decades.